The gunman who shot a Houston police officer during a violent crime spree on Sept. 12 had been released from jail on his own recognizance just days before the attack.
Brandon Bell, 17, and two other teens were arrested for carjacking a woman at gunpoint on September 2nd in Sunnyside.
Despite being charged with aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon and criminal trespassing in a motor vehicle, Bell was granted a "personal bond" at no cost.
According to the Houston Police Union, Bell's court date was set for Sept. 10 but he jumped bail and was not penalized, nor was his bail revoked.
As KPRC-TV reports, “Bell went on another crime spree on Houston's south side Thursday that ended with a five-year veteran police officer being shot, Bell being killed by another officer, two people being taken into custody and a third suspect being sought, authorities said.”
During that crime spree, Bell and his cohorts robbed and tried to shoot a priest. They apparently pulled the trigger twice but the gun jammed, so instead they beat the priest who begged for his life while praying on his knees.
Chief Art Acevedo told reporters, “we need the courts to do their job and to stop pussying footing with violent criminals”.He vowed to call out these judges who are freeing violent criminals by name because “when people go to vote for judges they need to know who they are voting for”.
HPOU President Joe Gamaldi tweeted, “Livid,but not surprised".
From HPOU: